Leica increases and Zeiss lowers lens prices

[Ecaton]

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I would be interested to learn about forum members' experience with the Zeiss ZM 21mm and 25mm lenses on the M8 and especially the challenges with changing mounts and coding. The recent price reductions seem to make them very interesting alternatives - especially under consideration of their excellent optical performance, which seems to be at the level of the Leica's (see Sean Reid's respective reviews). The 25mm eg is sold by Popflash for USD 777, incl a 2 year warranty.

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[cme4brain]

 

I would be interested to learn about forum members' experience with the Zeiss ZM 21mm and 25mm lenses on the M8 and especially the challenges with changing mounts and coding. The recent price reductions seem to make them very interesting alternatives - especially under consideration of their excellent optical performance, which seems to be at the level of the Leica's (see Sean Reid's respective reviews). The 25mm eg is sold by Popflash for USD 777, incl a 2 year warranty.

 

Also consider the Voigtlander line of lenses which do very well in optical testing- also stated in the Sean Reid articles. I seriously doubt that many could tell the difference between Zeiss and CV lenses, perhaps Leica for that matter, given a blind set of prints.

[Ecaton]

In the cases of the 21 and 25mm focal length, Zeiss lenses look like a bargain even compared to CV lenses, because of better performance (vignetting,corner sharpness), higher speed, and lastly superior build quality and lower manufacturing tolerance.

[leicabug]

I have heard that Zeiss 25mm does not bring out the correct frameline on M8.

[dseelig]

I have bought both the 25 and the 21. To get the 25 to bring up the proper frame lines you need the 35 mount which takes about two weeks to get form zeiss here in the states. then y9ou need it machined John Milch can do that at a good cost. Getting the mount off takes a proper camera reapir person as the mount is screwed and glued. You must heat up the screw to brake the glue. Dan Goldberg did a good job;. The first person who tried broke a screw off in the mount, then I had to send the lens to an other person to get it out he did but loosened the barrell and then went on vacation. At that point I sent the lens to Goldberg along with my new 21 zeiss. the mount that came with the 25 was perfect with the 21 as it brings the 28 frame lines. I now have the lens 6 bit coded it took about 7 weeks to get done because of the broken screw all told. My advice get the mount from zeiss have John Milch 6 bit have Dan Goldberg switch the mounts. the buold quality of zeiss does seem noticaly better then voigtlander. David P.S. If anyone but zeiss changes the mounts the warranty is voided something to keep in mind.

[arthury]

The 21mm ZM is the sharpest 21mm I have ever seen. Clarity is extraordinary and geometrical correction lives up to the Biogon name.

 

 

[Baxter]

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Those are impressive photos Arthur.

 

Is there anywhere in the UK that can swap over the Zeiss mounts for the 21mm? I have the 28 and 50mm Zeiss lenses and am probably going to add one of their 21mm models. Can wait and see what the f4 version looks like, the compact nature and performance seen in Sean's review appeals.

 

Does anyone know if this new lens will trigger the correct frame lines? I would prefer to be able to use the lens with the camera framing lines for sheer ergonomics. However being unaware that this lens mount swap was possible, I was looking at the different 28mm viewfinders in Robert White's. The low profile rectangular Voightlander one is very neat indeed and better optics than the cheaper circular one. The Zeiss was really clear but makes the camera very ungainly and the finder looks vulnerable to knocks. Whereas the low profile CV model could almost always reside in the hotshoe.